Trainer Rudy Rodriguez notches 1,000th win

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez sent out the first- and second-place finishers in the ninth-race finale at Aqueduct on Friday to score the 1,000th win of his training career.

Woundwithhereyes ($5.40) ran by Spinyatta in the final sixteenth of a mile to give Rodriguez his milestone victory. Junior Alvarado was in the saddle. Woundwithhereyes is co-owned by Michael Dubb, Head of Plains Partners, the Elkstone Group, and Bethlehem Stables.

Anna Rae bested Spinyatta late to get second.

Rodriguez appeared to have scored his 1,000th win in race 7, but Son of Mine was disqualified and placed second.

Rodriguez, 45, immigrated to the United States from Mexico in 1988. He began training in 2010 following an 18-year career as a jockey.

Rodriguez’s biggest wins include back-to-back runnings of the Grade 1 Carter in 2014-15 with Dads Caps; the Grade 1 Spinaway in 2014 with Condo Commando and last year with Lady Ivanka; and the Grade 2 Jerome, Grade 3 Gotham, and Grade 2 Kelso with Vyjack.

In late 2013, he claimed the filly Belle Gallantey for $35,000 at Aqueduct, and within nine months had sent her out to win the Grade 1 Delaware Handicap and Grade 1 Beldame.

"I'm very happy and for all the people who work for us – my brother, my sons, my assistants – they do such a good job," Rodriguez said. "I'm just glad that we got it done. Since I've come to this country, everything is just a blessing. I feel blessed for sure. It was tough when I came, but I don't look back, I keep looking forward. I just thank everyone who has supported me. My wife and my three beautiful children, we're just very blessed to be here.

"To be at Aqueduct; this is where I started galloping horses. This is where everything started for me. This is my home."

For more on Rodriguez's career, visit http://www.drf.com/news/rodriguez-closing-1000-career-wins-trainer

Owner Michael Dubb, a member of the NYRA board of directors and a leading owner in New York, has been with Rodriguez since his early days as a trainer.

"I knew Rudy from when he was an assistant trainer and jockey," Dubb said. "Having been an assistant trainer and former jockey have made him a great trainer. The fact that he still gets on his horses and exercises daily, and the fact that he’s probably the hardest-working guy on the backstretch, including being polite, humble and a family man, is a recipe for his all-around success.

"Whether you claim a horse, purchase privately, or at auction, Rudy is the kind of guy who puts in the same level of effort for all his horses. He leaves no stone unturned. I was there for one of his first wins, and I'm proud to be here for his 1,000th win as well."